The summertime outdoor luncheon crowd at B.J.’s Deli as the culture of occasional (antique and vintage) shops, open for only a few days each month, has put Buffalo, MN, on the map–Thursday morning August 2, 2012. (Pioneer Press: John Doman)

Occasional stores have become popular recently in the metro, but they’ve been a part of downtown Buffalo’s shopping culture for almost 20 years.

Buffalo, 45 minutes west of the Twin Cities, is home to a large number of occasional shops, or stores that keep non-traditional retail hours and turn over their merchandise frequently.

When planning a trip, the best time to visit is the first Thursday through Sunday of every month, when Buffalo’s stores are all open at once. Next up: Oct. 4-7.

The shops offer mostly vintage and antique finds, but there are options for contemporary items too.

Shopping downtown Buffalo’s occasional stores has become such a sport that groups come from all over. They line up outside the doors before shops open to be the first to nab one-of-a-kind items that the shop owners have been hunting and gathering at vintage shops, estate sales and other destinations near and far.

SHOP OCCASIONAL

A shopping trip to Buffalo wouldn’t be complete without visiting what some claim to be America’s first occasional store. If anything, Second Hand Rose is the first of its kind in the city of Buffalo.

Just on the edge of downtown, the 18-year-old shop off Soo Lane offers quality vintage home furnishings and accessories with an emphasis on European-themed decor. There are plenty of decorating ideas too, thanks to the themed rooms throughout the store.

On the same block, This & That offers re-purposed furniture and home decor pieces including lawn chairs, painted birdhouses and potholders.

In the heart of downtown Buffalo, The Porch on the corner of Central Avenue and First Street features vintage home decor and furniture. Also off the same block, The Cottage Door offers everything from restored, restyled and re-purposed vintage treasures to quality new decor. Finds include pieces for decorating your cabin to tableware for entertaining at home.

Next, Gem features ready-to-wear jewelry as well as rocks and crystals, leaving it up to you whether to shop for finished pieces or stockpile supplies for making your own.

Nearby on First Avenue, there’s The Marina, a furniture and home accessories shop big on the color white. Next, the hip Found Salvage offers the latest in dresses and handbags and caters to the juniors set. There’s also a small selection of furniture.

A few doors down, Patina General features a mix of old and new home and gift items such as charm necklaces, hand-poured candles, handcrafted lotions, artisan vases, glassware and storage benches.

Just around the corner off Division Street, Kathie’s Finds features recycled, re-purposed, reused and vintage furniture, art and accessories. Local artisans make many of the items, including hers truly.

Next, head to Lakeview Mall, where Bellacoux and Thistle Dew awaits with vintage and contemporary upcycled furniture, home decor, jewelry and gift items. Lamps, wall fans, throw pillows and benches are part of the stockpile.

On the southern edge of downtown, Lillians features some of the trendiest contemporary women’s apparel around town at down-to-earth prices. Handbags, tops and dresses all come with stylish flair.

SHOP BEYOND OCCASIONAL

Besides the occasional shops, downtown Buffalo is also home to stores with more traditional hours. Still, several of these shops, especially the furniture businesses, honor the spirit of occasional stores by transitioning their merchandise often. For shoppers, that means the novelty of nabbing unique items is still alive and well even during other times of the month.

For the fashion forward, Bead Bar and Boutique is a serious shop when it comes to the quality of its fine jewelry, purses and gift items. The place has a fun, party side to it too: Across the hall, a room for kids provides a place for groups to nosh on ice cream sundaes, paint nail designs and play video games. There’s even a dance floor — complete with a strobe light and karaoke machine.

In the same building, SHE offers trendy handbags, jewelry and other accessories for women. The spot off Division Street is also a destination for skin care products, chemical-free make up and botanical soaps.

A Wreath of Franklin across the street offers a sizeable selection of contemporary women’s apparel, so there should be something for everyone. There’s also a large variety of quality, stately furniture and home accessories that include wool rugs, lamps, lighting fixtures and artwork.

Off First Avenue, Barn Chix offers shabby chic home decor and vintage pieces. Next, Ritzy Replay is a consignment shop offering gently used clothing with stylish labels such as Ann Taylor and Banana Republic.

If you’re shopping for the little ones, Meshed Designs boutique and gifts offers a colorful variety of apparel, accessories and other items. That’s because the shop sells works from almost two dozen local artists, offering handmade quilts, hair accessories, tutus, tiaras, bow ties and doll furniture.

Downtown Variety Gallery also might be worth a stop for its mix of home decor and gift items. Speaking of galleries, another potential stop is Buffalo Art Guild Gallery, a co-op of 10 local artists featuring their works.

When it comes to home decor, Atelier on the corner of Central Avenue and First Street is the place to go for a large variety of new and vintage chic, including Parisian-themed furniture and home accessories. Next, Behind the Picket Fence antique store offers thrifty home pieces.

Yesterday’s Charm on the same block is a two-story space offering an eclectic mix of old and new, ranging from restored antiques and refurbished dressers to new throw pillows and contemporary sofas. The prices are just as varied, ranging from low- to high-end.

In the building’s parking lot is one of the newer retail additions to the shopping district. The outdoor Rustic Garden offers pots, plants, twigs and other garden-themed accessories.

On First Avenue, Now & Again has something for everyone, thanks to more than two-dozen dealers selling a variety of furniture, home accessories and clothes. When it’s time to call it a day, thrift lovers might want to make one last stop — at Treasures on 1st to score finds for the home at down-to-earth prices.

EAT

Hungry? There’s a small selection of restaurants downtown with soups and sandwiches being your best bet.

Perhaps the most popular is BJ’s Deli, a casual, order-at-the counter restaurant offering an all-you-can-eat soup and salad buffet as well as sandwiches and house made pies. If you’re feeling adventurous, order the abbondanza, a 17-layer crepe filled with things like turkey, ham, salami, tomato, egg, spinach and mayo.

Loaf and Ladle on the northern edge of downtown is a humble neighborhood spot with straightforward soups, salads and sandwiches as well as things like lemon bars for dessert.

Nancy Ngo writes about shopping and style for the Pioneer Press.

SHOP OCCASIONAL STORES

Bellacoux and Thistle Dew, Lakeview Mall, 15 First Ave.; 612-741-0173

Found Salvage, 4 First Ave. NE; 762-213-2113

Gem, 2600 Central Ave.; 612-221-1467

Kathie’s Finds, 105 Division St.; 763-682-2289

Lillians, 134 Lake Blvd.; 763-682-3050

Patina General, 2 First Ave. NE; 763-682-1130

Second Hand Rose, 609 Soo Lane; 763-684-0124

The Cottage Door, 28 Central Ave.; 763-682-1234

The Marina, 4 First Ave. NE; 612-296-9643

The Porch, 32 Central Ave.; 763-684-1254

This & That, 605 Soo Lane; 612-581-8010

SHOP OTHER RETAIL

A Wreath of Franklin, 11-1/2 Division St.; 763-682-0188

Atelier, 32 Central Ave.; 763-684-1254

Barn Chix, 18 First Ave. NE; 763-245-1927

Bead Bar and Boutique, 2 Division St.; 763-682-6368

Behind the Picket Fence, 30 Central Ave.; 763-682-9490

Buffalo Art Guild Gallery, 24-1/2 Central Ave.

Downtown Variety Gallery, 8 First Ave. S.; 763-682-7773

Meshed Designs, 1 Division St. W.; 320-583-0686 or 763-516-5433

Now & Again, 26 First Ave.; 612-290-4169 or 763-682-1772

Ritzy Replay, 8 First Ave. S.; 763-565-0729

Rustic Garden, 10 Central Ave.

SHE, 2 Division St.; 612-735-2003

Treasures on 1st, 112 First St.; 952- 412-4038

Yesterday’s Charm, 10 Central Ave.; 763-684-3961

EAT

Nancy Ngo is a Minnesota Native who grew up reading the Pioneer Press, so it’s fitting that she would one day work for them. She is a three time Society of Professional Journalists Page One Award winner. Before covering food and lifestyle, she has previously covered government and public safety. She has served on boards including the Asian American Journalists Association and The University of Minnesota’s The School of Journalism and Mass Communication Alumni Society Board.

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